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Biology of Cancer Exam 1 Questions and Answers Latest Version 100% Pass
What is the primary characteristic that distinguishes cancer cells from normal cells?✔✔ Cancer cells have uncontrolled growth due to mutations that bypass normal regulatory mechanisms.
Which mutation is commonly associated with the initiation of cancer?✔✔ Mutations in proto-oncogenes that lead to their activation into oncogenes.
How does a tumor suppressor gene function in the context of cancer?✔✔ Tumor suppressor genes normally inhibit cell division or promote apoptosis, and mutations that inactivate these genes can lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation.
What role do angiogenesis and blood vessel formation play in cancer development?✔✔ Angiogenesis provides tumors with the necessary nutrients and oxygen to grow beyond a small size by forming new blood vessels.
How does the immune system interact with cancer cells? 1 / 3
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✔✔ The immune system can recognize and attack cancer cells, but tumors often develop mechanisms to evade immune surveillance, such as through the expression of inhibitory signals or immune checkpoint molecules.
What is the Warburg effect, and how does it relate to cancer cells?✔✔ The Warburg effect refers to the preference of cancer cells for anaerobic glycolysis over oxidative phosphorylation, even in the presence of oxygen, which allows them to generate energy and biosynthetic precursors rapidly.
What is the role of metastasis in cancer progression?✔✔ Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant organs, making the cancer more difficult to treat and leading to poor prognosis.
How does the process of tumorigenesis differ between benign and malignant tumors?✔✔ Benign tumors are localized and do not invade surrounding tissues, while malignant tumors invade local tissues and have the potential to spread to other parts of the body.
What is the significance of telomerase activity in cancer cells? 2 / 3
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✔✔ Telomerase activity prevents the shortening of telomeres, allowing cancer cells to bypass normal cellular aging and continue dividing indefinitely.
How do oncogenes contribute to the development of cancer?✔✔ Oncogenes promote unchecked cell division and survival by encoding proteins that drive cell cycle progression, often due to mutations that lead to their constant activation.
What is the relationship between inflammation and cancer?✔✔ Chronic inflammation can promote cancer by creating an environment that fosters genetic mutations, cellular proliferation, and angiogenesis.
How does the p53 tumor suppressor gene affect cancer cells?✔✔ p53 activates cell cycle arrest or apoptosis in response to DNA damage; mutations in p53 prevent these responses, allowing damaged cells to proliferate and become cancerous.
What are cancer stem cells, and how do they affect cancer treatment?✔✔ Cancer stem cells are a subset of tumor cells that have the ability to self-renew and drive tumor growth, making them difficult to target with conventional therapies.
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